Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Hawkins studied classical piano as a child and learned guitar in his twenties. His initial goal was to become an opera singer (Hawkins has cited Paul Robeson as his musical idol in interviews), but when his initial ambitions failed he began his career as a conventional blues singer and pianist.
Hawkins was an avid and formidable boxer. In 1949, he was the middleweight boxing champion of Alaska.
In 1951, Hawkins joined guitarist Tiny Grimes's band, and was subsequently featured on some of Grimes's recordings. When Hawkins became a solo performer, he often performed in a stylish wardrobe of leopard skins, red leather and wild hats.
His most successful recording, "I Put a Spell on You" (1956), was selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. According to the AllMusic Guide to the Blues, "Hawkins originally envisioned the tune as a refined ballad." The entire band was intoxicated during a recording session where "Hawkins screamed, grunted, and gurgled his way through the tune with utter drunken abandon." The resulting performance was no ballad but instead a "raw, guttural track" that became his greatest commercial success and reportedly surpassed a million copies in sales, although it failed to make the Billboard pop or R&B charts.
The performance was mesmerizing, although Hawkins himself blacked out and was unable to remember the session. Afterward he had to relearn the song from the recorded version. Meanwhile the record label released a second version of the single, removing most of the grunts that had embellished the original performance; this was in response to complaints about the recording's overt sexuality. Nonetheless it was banned from radio in some areas.
Soon after the release of "I Put a Spell on You", radio disc jockey Alan Freed offered Hawkins $300 to emerge from a coffin onstage. Hawkins accepted and soon created an outlandish stage persona in which performances began with the coffin and included "gold and leopard skin costumes and notable voodoo stage props, such as his smoking skull on a stick – named Henry – and rubber snakes." These props were suggestive of voodoo, but also presented with comic overtones that invited comparison to "a black Vincent Price."
He continued to tour and record through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Europe, where he was very popular. He appeared in performance (as himself) in the Alan Freed bio-pic American Hot Wax in 1978. Subsequently, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch featured "I Put a Spell on You" on the soundtrack – and deep in the plot – of his film Stranger Than Paradise (1983) and then Hawkins himself as a hotel night clerk in his Mystery Train and in roles in Álex de la Iglesia's Perdita Durango and Bill Duke's adaptation of Chester Himes' A Rage in Harlem.
His 1957 single "Frenzy" (found on the early 1980s compilation of the same name) was included in the compilation CD, Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files, in 1996. This song was featured in the show's Season 2 episode "Humbug". It was also covered by the band Batmobile. "I Put a Spell on You" was featured during the show and over the credits of Episode 303 of The Simpsons.
In 1983, Hawkins relocated to the New York area. In 1984 and 1985, Hawkins collaborated with garage rockers The Fuzztones, resulting in "Screamin' Jay Hawkins and The Fuzztones Live" album recorded at Irving Plaza in December 1984. They perform in the 1986 movie Joey.
In July 1991, Hawkins released his album Black Music for White People. The record features covers of two Tom Waits compositions: "Heart Attack and Vine" (which, later that year, was used in a European Levi's advertisement without Waits' permission, resulting in a lawsuit), and "Ice Cream Man" (which, contrary to popular belief, is a Waits original, and not a cover of the John Brim classic). Hawkins also covered the Waits song, "Whistlin' Past the Graveyard", for his album Somethin' Funny Goin' On. In 1993, his version of "Heart Attack and Vine" became his only UK hit, reaching #42 on the UK singles chart.
When Dread Zeppelin recorded their "disco" album, It's Not Unusual in 1992, producer Jah Paul Jo asked Hawkins to guest. He performed the songs "Jungle Boogie" and "Disco Inferno".
Hawkins also toured with The Clash and Nick Cave during this period, and not only became a fixture of blues festivals, but appeared at many film festivals as well, including the Telluride Film Festival premier of Mystery Train.
Hawkins died on February 12, 2000 after surgery to treat an aneurysm. He left behind many children by many women; an estimated 55 at the time of his death, and upon investigation, that number "soon became perhaps 75 offspring".
Although Hawkins was not a major success as a recording artist, his highly theatrical performances from "I Put a Spell On You" onward earned him a steady career as a live performer for decades afterward, and influenced subsequent acts. He opened for Fats Domino, Tiny Grimes and the Rolling Stones. This exposure in turn influenced rock groups such as The Cramps, Screaming Lord Sutch, Black Sabbath, Arthur Brown, Dread Zeppelin, The Horrors, Marilyn Manson, Tom Waits, Alice Cooper and Glenn Danzig.
Little Demon
Screamin' Jay Hawkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stood a crazy little demon blowin' his top
Fire in his eyes and smoke from his head
You gotta be real cool to hear the words he said
He did a MAMMAMMBL...
That cat was mad!
He had steam in his soul for the one he loves so
Gonna run through the world till he understands his pain
Somebody help him get his demon home again
MAMMAMMBL...
That cat, that cat was mad! Yeah
[piano / guitar solo]
He made the sky turn green, he made the grass turn red
He even put pretty hair on granma's bald head
He did the moon back up, he even pushed back time
Took the tooty out of fruity, had the devil drinkin' wine
MAMMAMMBL...
That cat was mad!
[saxophone solo]
His demon felt good 'cause she finally got across
To the crazy little demon that a woman's still above
Down in the valley on a foggy [...]
You can still hear this demon blowin' his top
He did a MAMMAMMBL...
That cat, that cat was ma-aaad!
He pushed back night, brought in afternoon
He even made Leap Year jump over the moon
He took the 4th of July and he put it in May
He took this morning, bought back yesterday
MAMMAMMBL...
That cat was mad, huh!
Huh ha ha ha!
Ooh!
In “Little Demon,” Screamin' Jay Hawkins tells a story about a crazy little demon in the valley who was singing a weird tune. The demon had fire in his eyes and smoke coming out of his head, and he was so possessed by his passion for a lost love that he had to run through the world until he understands his pain. The demon caused many unexpected effects on the world around him, making the sky turn green and grass turn red, while adding hair to grandma's bald head. The demon wanted to get his love back, and he used his powers to push back time and bring back yesterday, but he still ended up isolated, stuck in his madness.
The lyrics of “Little Demon” may seem nonsensical, but they reflect the idea of a passionate love that can drive an individual crazy. The demon is a metaphor for someone who has lost control of their emotions and actions because of their fear of losing the one they love. Screamin' Jay Hawkins’ high-pitched screams and deep growls create an eerie and haunting sound that elevates the mayhem of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the valley on a foggy [...] rock
In a foggy valley stands a small yet insane demon, shouting uncontrollably.
Stood a crazy little demon blowin' his top
The demon is so angry and frustrated that his top (head) is about to blow off.
Fire in his eyes and smoke from his head
The demon's eyes burn and his head smokes with anger.
You gotta be real cool to hear the words he said
Only those who remain calm can hear the demon's words over his screaming.
He had steam in his soul for the one he loves so
The demon's soul has turned to steam due to his intense love and passion for someone.
He had death on his mind 'cause my demon let him go
The demon is contemplating death because someone he cares about has left him.
Gonna run through the world till he understands his pain
He will wander the world until he can comprehend and come to terms with his emotional pain.
Somebody help him get his demon home again
Someone needs to help him bring back his inner peace and calmness.
He made the sky turn green, he made the grass turn red
The demon's anger and powers are so strong that he caused the sky to turn green and the grass to turn red.
He even put pretty hair on granma's bald head
The demon's powers are not limited to anger and destruction; he can also perform good deeds like giving hair to the bald grandma.
He did the moon back up, he even pushed back time
The demon has power over nature itself, as he made the moon go back and time go backward.
Took the tooty out of fruity, had the devil drinkin' wine
He made significant changes to the world, such as taking the fun out of life and having even the devil drinking wine.
His demon felt good 'cause she finally got across to the crazy little demon that a woman's still above
The demon's lover must have felt good after finally convincing him that women are still superior despite his inner demons.
He pushed back night, brought in afternoon
The demon's powers are immense; he can push back night and bring afternoon in its place.
He even made Leap Year jump over the moon
His abilities are beyond human comprehension, as he made Leap Year jump over the moon.
He took the 4th of July and he put it in May
He made significant changes to the world, such as putting the 4th of July in May.
He took this morning, bought back yesterday
The demon broke the laws of time by taking this morning and bringing back yesterday.
That cat was mad, huh!
The demon was incredibly angry and frustrated.
Huh ha ha ha!
The demon's laughter indicates that he is slowly losing his sanity.
Ooh!
The demon lets out a final cry before being consumed by his inner demons.
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@franznarf
Little Demon (by Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
Down in the valley on a foggy little rock
Stood a pretty little demon blowing his top
Fire in his eyes and smoke from his head
You gotta be real cool to hear the words he said
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat was mad!
He had steam in his soul for the one he loved so
He had death on his mind 'cause my demon let him go
He gonna run through the world 'til we understand his pain
Somebody help him get his demon home again
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
He made the sky turn green, he made the grass turn red,
He even put pretty hair on Grandma's bald head
He made the moon back up, he even pushed back time
He took the frutti out of tutti, he had the devil drinkin' wine
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat-cat was mad!
This demon felt good, 'cause he finally got across,
To the crazy little demon that the woman still the boss
Down in the valley on the foggy little rock
You can still hear the demon blowing his top
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
He pushed back night, brought in afternoon,
He even made Leap Year jump over the moon,
He took the Fourth of july and put it in May
He took this morning for a drive yesterday
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
@jackienavarrosenecal4454
Down in the valley on a foggy little rock
Stood a crazy little demon blowing his top
Fire in his eyes and smoke from his head
You gotta be real cool to hear the words he said
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat was mad!
He had steam in his soul for the one he loved so
He had death on his mind 'cause Mrs. Demon let him go
He gonna run through the world 'til we understand his pain
Somebody help him get Mrs. Demon home again
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
He made the sky turn green, he made the grass turn red,
He even put pretty hair on Grandma's bald head
He made the moon back up, he even pushed back time
He took the frutti out of tutti, he had the devil drinkin' wine
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat-cat was mad!
Mrs. demon felt good, 'cause she finally got across,
To the crazy little demon that the woman still the boss
Down in the valley on the foggy little rock
You can still hear the demon blowing his top
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
He pushed back night, brought in afternoon,
He even made Leap Year jump over the moon,
He took the Fourth of july and put it in May
He took this morning, brought back yesterday
He said (mumbling/scatting)
That cat- that cat was mad!
@porgeous88
Screamin Jay is for life, not just for Halloween!!! needs more air play, what infectious joy and bops 😍
@peterhughes614
These lyrics are fucking insane.
@ageingted
I met Jay in the mid 60s when he visited the UK. He was a really nice guy and spoke about his music and how he loved opera which is how he developed his booming voice.
A good few hours with him before he left and a funny yet intelligent man.
@lynnard1spidersonic
Dude,How fucking old are you?
@ageingted
Spidey
71 and still rockin'
I also met Sonny Boy Williamson, Jerry lee Lewis, Bo Diddley,Mickey Gilley & was a mate of Gary Brooker. (Paramounts & Procul Harem).
I even drove for a small 60's group, Bubbles & Co when they used to do their recording sessions and played at the 2i's in London. I've even been to the Atlantic studios in New York and I held the credits boards for 6-5 Special TV show back in 57 /58 as they filmed it.
@ganeshramcharran1255
spidey2099milan lol the way you said it to him
@zetetick395
The past is indeed a foreign country,
these eras seem light years away now!
@curebdc
@@ageingted you saw some awesome stuff dude! You're the man! Keep rocking!
@bloodhound711
I'm preety sure you were born in the right decade. Back then there was not nearly as many opportunities to listen to music jems like this. =)
@eviltomnook
i'm here because i'm discovering a terrific musician. nothing to do with clocks or fitbits or anything. this is the sixth song i've heard by him tonight. this guy is friggin' great.